The word was "hypochondria" -- the irrational fear of having a serious illness.

And when the final bell rang, the correct spelling of the word earned Kerry Byrnes, an eighth-grader at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in New Dorp, the title of 2013 Staten Island Regional Catholic Schools spelling bee champion, and bragging rights for her school.

Michael Friala, an eighth-grader from Holy Rosary School, South Beach, was the runner-up.

A total of 29 students, from fifth through eighth-grades, representing 22 schools, competed in the spelling bee, hosted Thursday by St. Christopher's School, Grant City.

Adele Kosinski, principal of St. Rita's School, Meiers Corners, and Bernadette Ficchi, principal of St. Ann's School, Dongan Hills, served as judges for the afternoon event, while Evelyn Lacagnino, principal of Sacred Heart School, West Brighton, served as moderator.

The audience of family members, friends, teachers and principals, sat hushed as Kerry and Michael remained on stage battling it out for more than 45 minutes. The two correctly spelled "euphemism" but Kerry was able to spell "anachronism" and followed with "hypochondria" to cinch the title.

Judges declared the "spell-down" the longest final round in recent competition. The spelling bee is a tradition that goes back more than 20 years, according to Regional Superintendent Zoilita Herrera, who pronounced Wednesday's match as "one of the best".

Kerry, who said she was "shocked and surprised" by her win, said she didn't do much practicing for the big event. Last year she finished in third-place in her school's spelling bee, but qualified for the regional competition by finishing in first-place earlier this fall.

Michael said he was "somewhat disappointed" but not discouraged by his runner-up status. It was his second shot in three years at the regional competition; he competed as a fifth-grader.

Both students said they enjoy reading, writing and learning new vocabulary words.

Michael said he hopes to attend Manhattan's Xavier High School in the fall, while Kerry said she was still undecided between St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, Huguenot, and St. John Villa Academy, Arrochar. The two will learn the results of their Catholic high school admissions test in January.